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Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry on Friday confirmed that two Nigerian nationals have been killed in South Africa, as tensions intensify between the two countries over anti-immigrant protests.
Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo were killed in two separate incidents. Fakunle was reportedly murdered at his home in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4. The following day, Nwankwo was arrested in Somerset, Cape Town, and later died after being taken into police custody.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Nwankwo’s death and urged South African authorities to clarify what had happened. South African police said he had been arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and complained of shortness of breath while being transported to Lwandle police station. Police said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was notified and attended the scene. According to police, IPID did not take over the investigation because Nwankwo had no visible injuries suggesting that he had been assaulted.
Nigeria, however, has alleged that Nwankwo was subjected to “gruesome interrogation techniques” by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The allegation has not been independently established. Nigeria has called for thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the deaths and for anyone responsible to be held accountable.
The deaths have renewed concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. Human Rights Watch reported earlier this year that vigilante groups had carried out violent attacks against foreign nationals and foreign-owned businesses amid demonstrations calling for stricter immigration enforcement. Nigeria has also criticized South Africa’s response to xenophobic and Afrophobic violence. The government said it has repeatedly raised the issue through diplomatic channels, including at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
One unresolved issue is an Early Warning Mechanism intended to help Nigeria and South Africa identify and respond to emerging threats against foreigners. Nigeria has signed the related agreement, but says South Africa has not yet done so. Following the latest deaths, Nigeria said it is considering “other concrete measures” to secure greater cooperation from South Africa authorities.
Nigeria’s National Assembly has already suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott South African-hosted legislative activities until further notice. The suspension includes parliamentary meetings, conferences, legislative exchanges, and virtual engagements.
The National Assembly said the measure was a response to reports that Nigerians and other African nationals have been killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their homes, businesses and property. It stressed that the decision does not amount to a break in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
South African authorities have not publicly responded to Nigeria’s latest allegations regarding the two deaths. Nigeria said it expects South Africa to treat the cases with urgency and take steps to protect Nigerians living and working in the country.
The post Nigeria demands investigation after two citizens killed in South Africa appeared first on JURIST - News.
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Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo were killed in two separate incidents. Fakunle was reportedly murdered at his home in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4. The following day, Nwankwo was arrested in Somerset, Cape Town, and later died after being taken into police custody.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Nwankwo’s death and urged South African authorities to clarify what had happened. South African police said he had been arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and complained of shortness of breath while being transported to Lwandle police station. Police said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was notified and attended the scene. According to police, IPID did not take over the investigation because Nwankwo had no visible injuries suggesting that he had been assaulted.
Nigeria, however, has alleged that Nwankwo was subjected to “gruesome interrogation techniques” by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The allegation has not been independently established. Nigeria has called for thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the deaths and for anyone responsible to be held accountable.
The deaths have renewed concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. Human Rights Watch reported earlier this year that vigilante groups had carried out violent attacks against foreign nationals and foreign-owned businesses amid demonstrations calling for stricter immigration enforcement. Nigeria has also criticized South Africa’s response to xenophobic and Afrophobic violence. The government said it has repeatedly raised the issue through diplomatic channels, including at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
One unresolved issue is an Early Warning Mechanism intended to help Nigeria and South Africa identify and respond to emerging threats against foreigners. Nigeria has signed the related agreement, but says South Africa has not yet done so. Following the latest deaths, Nigeria said it is considering “other concrete measures” to secure greater cooperation from South Africa authorities.
Nigeria’s National Assembly has already suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott South African-hosted legislative activities until further notice. The suspension includes parliamentary meetings, conferences, legislative exchanges, and virtual engagements.
The National Assembly said the measure was a response to reports that Nigerians and other African nationals have been killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their homes, businesses and property. It stressed that the decision does not amount to a break in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
South African authorities have not publicly responded to Nigeria’s latest allegations regarding the two deaths. Nigeria said it expects South Africa to treat the cases with urgency and take steps to protect Nigerians living and working in the country.
The post Nigeria demands investigation after two citizens killed in South Africa appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.